MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Maryland Stadium Authority plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects in Maryland.

Formed by the General Assembly in 1986, the Authority was authorized to select a site for new sports stadiums in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and acquire, construct, and operate these facilities (Chapter 283, Acts of 1986).

Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Following the Ravens' move to the new stadium, its old site at Memorial Stadium (at 33rd Street in northeast Baltimore) remained vacant. Demolition of Memorial Stadium began in 2001 and was completed on February 15, 2002.

M & T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Subject to approval by the Board of Public Works, the Authority may hold an ownership interest in and operate a professional football or major league baseball team or team franchise, on a temporary basis, during a transition of the team or team franchise to private ownership.

The Authority consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Six are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. One is chosen by the Mayor of Baltimore with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair. With the Governor's approval, the Authority appoints the Executive Director (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-601 through 10-655).

Work of the Authority is assigned to seven groups: Capital Projects Development; Facilities; Finance; Human Resources; Marketing and Communications (& Maryland Sports); Procurement; Public Safety and Security.

CAPITAL PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The Group oversees matters relating to the Baltimore City Convention Center, the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (Hippodrome Theatre Complex), the Montgomery County Conference Center, and the Ocean City Convention Center.

Projects that have been completed by the Authority include:

1992, April 6. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, opened
1995. Camden Station, Baltimore, completed
1996, Sept. Baltimore Convention Center expansion, Baltimore, completed
1997. Ocean City Convention Center renovation amd expansion, completed
1998, Sept. 6. PSINet Stadium (now M&T Bank Stadium), Baltimore, opened
2001, April. John B. Scheurholz Baseball Complex, Towson, completed
2002, Jan. 28. University Commons, University of Maryland Baltimore County, opened
2002, March. Softball Field, University of Maryland, College Park, opened
2002. Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, demolition completed
2002, Oct. Comcast Center, University of Maryland, College Park, opened
2003, Feb. Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, Baltimore, opened
2003, March. Towson University Sports Complex, completed
2003, May 26. Veterans Memorial, Sports Complex at Camden Yards, Baltimore, dedicated
2003, June 18. Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen, opened
2004, Oct. Montgomery County Conference Center, Bethesda, completed
2006, Sept. Camden Station - Phase II, Baltimore, completed
2008, May 2. Southern Maryland Baseball Stadium, Waldorf, opened
2009, Dec. Physical Education Complex, Coppin State University, Baltimore, opened
2011, May. Baltimore Grand Prix, completed
2012. Coppin Center Arena, Coppin State University, Baltimore, demolition completed

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
In 1992, certain responsibilities of the Baltimore Convention Center Authority were transferred to the Maryland Stadium Authority.

To enlarge and improve the Baltimore Convention Center, the Maryland Stadium Authority was authorized to begin design and construction or hire a firm for this work (Chapter 400, Acts of 1993). Expansion was completed September 1996, and refurbishment of the original structure in April 1997.

The Center is located at 100 West Pratt Street. Convention Center receipts are deposited in the Baltimore Convention Center Financing Fund.

Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FRANCE-MERRICK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
(HIPPODROME THEATRE COMPLEX)
The Authority oversaw the design and construction of the Hippodrome Theatre and the buildings adjacent to it. Located at 12 North Eutaw St. in Baltimore, the Complex was named the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in June 2003. The Hippodrome Theatre opened on February 10, 2004.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONFERENCE CENTER
In 1996, the Authority was empowered to provide for the development and construction of the Montgomery County Conference Center (Chapter 407, Acts of 1996). The Center opened on December 1, 2004. It is located at 5701 Marinelli Road at Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, adjacent to the White Flint Metro station.

OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER
The Authority was authorized to issue bonds for the renovation, expansion, and operating costs of the Ocean City Convention Center in 1995 (Chapter 603, Acts of 1995). The Center also is known as the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Renovation and expansion were completed in the fall of 1997. The Authority also maintains the Ocean City Convention Center Financing Fund and is overseeing a feasibility study of further expansion of the Center.

Additionally, the Maryland Stadium Authority oversees the construction and revitalization of certain Baltimore City public schools, and the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City as part of Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise).

Under the Capital Projects Development Group are Projects and Studies, and School Projects.

PROJECTS & STUDIES

PROJECT C.O.R.E.
In January 2016, the Maryland Stadium Authority began overseeing the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City. Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) is a partnership between the Authority, Baltimore City, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Over a period of four years, up to $75 million has been earmarked for demolition, stabilization, and deconstruction of structures. This work constitutes Phase 1 of the Project.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

MARYLAND SPORTS
In October 2017, Maryland Sports was established by statute (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017).

Maryland Sports works to bring regional, national and international sporting events to Maryland. Also, for the National Association of Sports Commissions, Maryland Sports serves as the State's sports commission.

The Maryland Stadium Authority may establish affiliated foundations to work with Maryland Sports. Such affiliated foundations are not units of State government or instrumentalities of the State. To promote sports in Maryland, however, they may solicit and receive contributions from businesses, individuals, government entities, and nonprofit organizations (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017; Code Economic Development Article, sec. 10-612).

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